Dear MSSA Friends,

MSSA’s “School Safety Act” has been introduced as HB 385, and will have a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee (HJC) on Tuesday, 2/14.

HB 385 would allow full-time school employees at a K-12 public school who have a concealed weapon permit to exercise that CWP at school as long as the firearm is always concealed and the employee maintains security for the firearm at all times.  Under HB 385, a school would not be able to interfere with an employee exercising a CWP, and schools would be prevented from spending any money to implement this.

This last provision is important because school spending is not necessary for this program.  And, had this restriction on school spending not been in the bill, school lobbyists would have clamed the need to spend tens of millions on gun safes, extra teacher training, and more, claiming that would take needed money away from actual education, a classic gambit to defeat a bill.

MSSA believes that if teachers and other school staff are capable of being trained sufficiently to be entrusted with our children, they are also capable of being trained to be competent and safe with firearms.  They will be the first responders should there be a life-threatening incident at a school.  It is always better if first responders are equipped properly to do what they must.

No school employee would be required to become and be armed under HB 385, but it would become an acceptable and legal option for any school employee wishing to utilize the opportunity.  HB 385 applies only to public schools.

Please get messages to HJC members in support of HB 385, or show up in the Capitol at 8 AM next Tuesday to speak to members of the HJC.  If you are uncertain how that works, please revisit:

Thanks loads for your support.

Best wishes,
--   Gary Marbut, president  Montana Shooting Sports Association  https://www.mtssa.org  Author, Gun Laws of Montana  http://www.mtpublish.com

By mssa